Idyllwild Nature Center & Lake Hemet, CA

Bernie & I decided on a trip the mountains today to Idyllwild driving up from Banning and driving back into Palm Desert.  The trip takes you up along the steep mountains with views down into the valleys. Have I mentioned I have a fear of heights along the side of roads, when I feel the car might fall down the mountain?  It can cause me to laugh uncontrollably.  Today, I wasn't too bad.  After we birded at Idyllwild Nature, we decided we would also stop at Lake Hemet to see what birds would be around.

Here we found the best bird of our trip and a life bird for both of us ~ Lewis's Woodpecker #442.

Mountain Chickadee

Lewis's Woodpecker ~ Life Bird #442

Lewis's Woodpecker

Moon raising over Palm Desert on NY's Eve

Hiking at Mount San Jacinto State Park, CA

Finally, got the guys away from the football game and up on the mountain.  Even though it's 107 degrees today in Palm Desert, here up at the top of the mountain it's nice temperature for hiking. Some of the time I let the others hike ahead of me so I could look for some birds.  I saw several nice birds including my only life bird of CA ~ a White-headed Woodpecker.  (I didn't get a very good image to share.)

Mountain Chickadee

Bark of Jeffrey tree

Dawn having a good time

Jim and Henry get ready to move out after lunch

Stacie and Seth

Adam appreciates the view

Brooke climbing the mountain